1. The number one priority of anyone running for office in the U.S. is to get elected.

The focus of every politician and political candidate is to receive money to sway voters. Rather than looking out for what is best for the nation, politicians look out for what is best for themselves in the short term: supporting whatever policies will get them more votes. No one is looking out for the long term interests of the nation; these professional fundraisers are only looking to make it to their next term in office.

2. To get elected, politicians devote too much time to mud slinging and making their opposition look bad.

Campaign ads are focused more on what their opponents have done wrong, rather than on what the candidate is doing right. It is easy to point out problems, but we need politicians with real solutions who will stick to their campaign promises after the election is over.

3. Campaigns create disunity and animosity.

We are no longer one nation. We become more and more divided with every election. The rise of groups like the Tea Party show how strong the animosity has become. We should be working together, not fighting amongst ourselves.

4. Politicians have created a negative environment.

Politicians and political candidates pushing so hard against each other creates an overwhelmingly negative environment. For the past two years, Republicans have refused to work with Democrats. Rather than fixing problems with bipartisanship, they opted to become a wall of negativity. This negative environment helped propel Republicans to congressional victories in 2010, just it helped propel Democrats to victories in 2008. It would be better to get into power with positive solutions and results than stonewalling the opposition.

5. No one is working together, there are no unified plans that would benefit the country

The attitude of late has been one of anger. Rather than facing our problems, fingers are being pointed. Both sides blame the other, both claim to have solutions, but neither can work together for the greater good of the nation.

If our nation is to move forward, we must work together for positive change. We do not have time for name calling and bickering. We need real solutions and real bipartisanship, and we need it now.

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